Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is widespread [1–3] and usually asymptomatic [4]. HPV types 6 and 11 are the types most commonly associated with anogenital warts [5], while types 16 and 18 are associated with HPV related malignancies including anal and cervical cancer [1–3, 6]. Studies demonstrate that the great majority of adult MSM are infected with multiple HPV types [7–9], with a substantial proportion infected with HPV 16 or 18, which together cause about 80% of anal cancers [10–12]. MSM especially those who are HIV positive are at increased risk for anal cancer [13].

The prophylactic quadrivalent HPV vaccine is effective in preventing infection with HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18 and in reducing the incidence of anogenital warts and anal intraepithelial neoplasia in males [14, 15]. However, to date no countries have introduced universal, free vaccination of boys. The extent to which young MSM are already infected with HPV at the age at which targeted vaccination is available is not well documented. We therefore undertook a review of studies examining the prevalence of HPV among MSM aged 25 and younger.

We systematically reviewed studies by searching MEDLINE and abstracts from the European Research Organisation on Genital Infection and Neoplasia (EUROGIN) Conferences and the International Papillomavirus (IPV) Conferences. Key words used in the search included: “men who have sex with men” or “MSM” or “homosexual” or “bisexual” or “gay” and “human papillomavirus” or “HPV”.

The following data were extracted: author, year of publication, study setting, number of MSM, number of MSM aged 25 or younger, sample collection method, HPV DNA testing method, and HPV type tested. HPV 6/11/16/18 prevalence were extracted, and where possible, HPV 6/11/16/18 prevalence stratified by age group (≤20 years old; 21–25 years old; ≤25 years old).

The outcome of the review is summarized in Figure 1. The study populations, selection criteria, testing methods for HPV and HPV types covered in the 6 studies included are presented in Table 1. Importantly, none of the studies specifically sought to determine the prevalence of HPV infection among a representative sample of young MSM [7, 16–19].

The 6 studies included provided data on anal HPV for a total of 698 MSM aged ≤ 25. Among men aged ≤ 20, the prevalence of anal HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18 ranged from 0 to 17%, 0 to 17%, 0 to 14% and 0 to 20%, respectively. Among men aged 21 to 25, the prevalence of anal HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18 ranged from 8 to 19%, 0 to 8%, 0 to 18% and 3 to 8%, respectively.

Through this review, we found that there have been no published studies that have been designed to specifically determine the prevalence of HPV among young MSM using a representative sample of young MSM. Of the six studies identified, all had potential biases because of the way the studies were designed. These could have led to either an overestimate or an underestimate of the true HPV prevalence among young MSM. Several studies recruited men from clinics including STD clinics [7, 17, 18] while others had selection criteria that may have led to higher risk or lower risk men being included [15, 19]. Several studies recruited MSM across a wider age range leaving only a much smaller subset of younger MSM with data on HPV prevalence. Most data derive from a study that was designed to determine HPV vaccine efficacy in MSM rather than HPV prevalence [15]. A further limitation is that all studies only reported HPV detection at a single time point rather than defining infection by the presence of the same HPV type present at two separate time points.

Despite these important limitations, the available data suggest HPV infection may still be uncommon among teenage same sex attracted males, although the data are currently insufficient to draw this conclusion with confidence. A community-based, representative sample is needed to determine the prevalence of HPV infection, defined rigorously, among mainly teenage same sex attracted males.

Given that HPV 16 and 18 are responsible for around 80% of anal cancers [12] and HPV 6 and 11 account for most genital warts [21] such a study would help to ascertain whether targeted HPV vaccination of young MSM is likely to be effective in preventing anal cancer in this group of at-risk males. Ideally, HPV vaccination should occur prior to the onset of sexual activity – ahead of potential HPV acquisition. To date, however, no country has implemented universal HPV vaccination of school aged boys, although the Australian Government has recently announced it is planning to roll out the HPV vaccination program to 12 and 13 years old schoolboys from 2013. Targeted vaccination of MSM to prevent anal cancer would likely only be effective if, in addition to low existing HPV rates, young same sex attracted males are willing to disclose their sexuality to health care providers in order to obtain the HPV vaccine. Further studies to determine the acceptability and feasibility of targeted vaccination of young same sex attracted males are required.